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Daphne Bridgerton was the star of “Bridgerton” season one.
- But season three tells Colin and Penelope’s story — and Dynevor said that she wasn’t a part of it.
- Here’s what we know about her character now, and whether we might see her again in the future.
If you’re a “Bridgerton” fan, you might be curious as to what’s happened to Daphne since her love story in season one.
Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) is the eldest of the Bridgerton sisters and the fourth-eldest Bridgerton sibling. The Netflix series’ first season told the story of her romance with Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page). With her story mostly concluded, she’s faded into the background — and this season, “Bridgerton” is focused on her older brother Colin, and his love interest, Penelope Featherington.
Unfortunately, Dynevor confirmed in January 2023 that she was not returning for “Bridgerton” season three. But she didn’t shut the door on any future appearances on the show.
“If they ask me back in the future, who knows?” Dynevor told Variety. “For now, I am just really enjoying having new experiences and making films and we’ll see what happens.”
Here’s how Daphne plays into season three of “Bridgerton.”
Warning: Spoilers ahead for season three, part one of “Bridgerton.”
Daphne is mentioned several times in ‘Bridgerton’ season three
Daphne doesn’t make an appearance in the first four episodes of season three of Bridgerton, though all of her siblings do.
Daphne married the Duke of Hastings in season one, adapting to her new responsibilities as the Duchess of Hastings. But with her story mostly concluded, she took a back seat in season two while her brother Anthony found love with Kate Sharma. Daphne, however, did make several appearances throughout season two, including a very memorable one for a Bridgerton family Pall Mall match at their country estate.
Regé-Jean Page, who played her husband, left the series after its first season. If Daphne ever does return in the future, it’ll be without her husband.
She’s mentioned several times in the new season, however. In episode one, Violet counsels her daughter Francesca after her first ball. Francesca, however, doesn’t want to put undue expectations on herself to find a love match.
“I’m not frightened of the balls, Mama. Or of finding a match. What you and Father, and Daphne and Anthony all have is enviable, but it is also rare,” Francesca tells her mother. “And I am not certain I need to feel butterflies or… unexpected harmony.”
Violet mentions Daphne’s history on the marriage market later, in season three, episode three, after Francesca catches the Queen’s eye.
“But as with Daphne, you do not have to marry whoever the queen selects for you. You must simply follow your heart,” Violet tells her daughter.
Daphne plays a role in Colin and Penelope’s story in the books
We won’t know what happens in season three, part two for a few more weeks. But In “Romancing Mr. Bridgerton,” the Julia Quinn novel that this season of “Bridgerton” loosely follows, Daphne hosts a ball toward the end of the season. The event, held at Hastings House, is a large ball that takes place after Penelope and Colin’s wedding.
Past the ball, Daphne appears several times throughout “Romancing Mr. Bridgerton,” counseling Colin on his feelings for Penelope. We’ll have to wait to see how the show will adapt that portion of the books, given that Daphne won’t appear.
